Kenya U21 deaf basketball teams off to Poland for World Champs

Kenya’s Under-21 Deaf Basketball teams departed for Poland on Tuesday, with a sense of duty as they debut at the Under-21 World Deaf Basketball Championships set for June 5 to 13 in Lublin.

The championship marks a historic moment for many members of the Kenyan squad, who will be making their international debut while carrying the country’s hopes on the world stage.

Speaking before jetting out to Poland, the Kenya Deaf Basketball Federation President, Christine Kirui, expressed confidence and pride as the squad prepared to head into the global competition.

“We are extremely proud of this team and the commitment they have shown throughout their preparations. I would also like to appreciate the government and all stakeholders who have supported us as we prepare to represent Kenya on the world stage. This is a historic moment for these young athletes, and we believe they will make the country proud.”

Head coach Mary Chepkoi expressed optimism and confidence in the team’s readiness noting their discipline and growth throughout training.

“It is a proud moment to see these young players get the opportunity to compete at such a high level. They have shown great discipline, dedication and determination throughout our training sessions. We are looking forward to a good performance and valuable experience against the world’s best teams,” she said.

Team captain Maureen Ouma noted that in the recent three months, the team has undergone rigorous training camps aimed at sharpening their skills and preparing them for the highly competitive tournament thus echoed the confidence within the camp.

“The entire team has prepared well for these championships. We have worked hard during training, and we are determined to give our best and bring medals home for Kenya. We know the competition will be tough, but we are ready to represent our country with pride,” she said.

One of the players expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and thanked the government for supporting their participation.

“So happy for this team, under 21, because we have achieved this opportunity to fly to Poland. It’s the first time to get this opportunity and I thank the government of Kenya for believing in us and giving us this opportunity. Together with under 21, it’s not easy. Without the government it’s not possible to go us alone. So we thank the government for this opportunity to fly to Poland.”

Parents, health professionals and federation officials observed that deaf basketball is gradually gaining ground in Kenya, with more pathways opening up for athletes with hearing impairments.

They further stressed that promoting inclusion is key to the sport’s growth, noting that the future holds strong promise for upcoming talent.

As the squad begins its journey to the championships, deaf athletes who were not selected have been urged to keep training and remain committed as they look forward to future opportunities in the sport.